Some tips if you are interested in Chartering:

Who should I charter with?

    Naturally I would recommend Barecat Charters (www.barecat.com). When I originally chartered with Barecat, I talked to most of the large companies. We decided to charter a Catamaran because they have more room, and are more stable. We decided to chartered from Barecat because they were much less expensive, and more flexible. Although all the companies I talked to were nice, I like the fact that I was dealing directly with the owners of the company, and their stateside manager. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and reasonable. Barecat let us decide on our own itinerary, and will even let you sail to Anegada if you qualify. A lot of the other companies have a set itinerary, and like you to stick to it.

Barecat is also located in Sopers Hole, West End, Tortola. It is easier to get to West End by flying into St. Thomas, instead of Beef Island. If you fly into Beef island, it may cost you an extra $150.00 roundtrip, and it is on the east end of the island, which is a long cab ride to West End. You will also find it cheaper to fly into St. Thomas, as it is considered US soil, and most US airlines fly there. It is also a much more interesting adventure to fly into St. Thomas, take a short cab ride to Charlotte Amalie, and take a ferry to West End. You can shop in St. Thomas while waiting on the ferry, and there is a nice little restaurant above the ferry terminal you can have your first island drink at. The seaplane terminal is also right next door and the planes land from right over your head, which is pretty kewl.

When you leave Tortola by ferry, you have to check in at St. John before you go to St. Thomas, so you can say you went to St. John as well!

One of the criteria the first time we went, was to make it an adventure. We were able to charter with Barecat at a better rate than most of the others, and have money left over to stay on island a few days, and explore from land as well.

As soon as Laurie and I purchase a Catamaran, we will be putting it in the Barecat charter fleet. And if you are not a sailor, I would be honored to Captain your trip. I have over 30 years of experience, and play well with kids and adults of all ages.

What should I bring?

Let's break this into to categories.

Personal Items:

The following is a good starting point:

5 pairs of shorts                            5 T-shirts
3 swimsuits                                  5 pairs of shorts
5 T-shirts/tanks                             3 swimsuits
1 pair of sandals or reef shoes        1 pair of tennis shoes
A Sarong is a great cover up for the ladies
For dinner ashore:
Ladies: 1 casual sundress               Men: 1 button down shirt & dress shorts
Overnight kit with toiletries

Sunscreen. If you use #15 at home, bring #30. Make sure it is waterproof. Put it on in the morning before you put your suit on, that way you cover everything. re-apply ever few hours to the exposed spots that hit the sun the most. Make sure you get your backside well before you go snorkeling, the water reflects and amplifies the sun.

Your prescriptions with enough to cover you for your complete trip.

Your passport! Or a drivers license and embossed Birth Certificate. But it is better to get a passport.

CD's: Most boats have a car type Stereo with a CD player. So bring tunes, but remember to not play them too loud at night.

Books: Bring a few paperbacks/magazines. I recommend John D. McDonald, Clive Cussler, and Carl Hiaasen. If you don't want to bring them back, give them to Sydney. Cruisers and liveaboards are always looking for something new to read.

What not to bring:

Anything else! You don't need hair dryers, more shoes, socks, dress clothes. If you have to ask yourself if you need something, the answer is a resounding no!

Seriously, the lighter you pack, the happier you will be. Shoes are rarely worn, even ashore to dinner, and almost never on a sailboat.

Whenever I go, I buy at least 6 t-shirts, which I wear, and sometimes a pair of shorts. You can rinse off swim suits the one or two times you shower, and just let everything else dry in the sun. Just make sure you tie them down so they do not sail off the boat.
 

Food:

You can provision at two places in West End, Ample Hamper, or Riteway. If you have special food you need to bring, that is fine. If there are specific items, you may want to bring them. The selection is not so great in the islands. We mainly bought breakfast and lunch stuff, and only eat dinner on board one night. Bagels and cream cheese hold up well for breakfast as well as cereal and milk, and cold cuts for sandwiches at lunch.

All boats come with cookware, as well as stove/oven and a charcoal or propane grill. Just remember, you have to clean up whatever you cook with afterwards, which is not what you really want to do, which is relax and have fun.

There are very good restaurants all over the islands. Donovans Reef and Marina Cay near Camanoe, Cooper Island Beach Club on Cooper Island, Willie T's at Norman Island, Sandcastle/Soggy Dollar and Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke, and three or four at Cane Garden Bay.

Keep things you use a lot in a cooler, not the fridge. Things like beer and soda. You will be buying a bag or two of ice everyday anyway, might as well keep the beer cold.